"Hey, crybaby. You're crying again," Dranred said softly, resting his hand on top of Rosette's head. "I brought you here for a date, not to make you cry, you know."
He was standing just behind her when she suddenly turned and threw her arms around him.
"Whoa—hey," he blurted out, surprised, though a small smile quickly replaced his shock. "You know I'm injured, right? You should be careful with me."
He laughed lightly as he hugged her back with one arm, his hand gently brushing her hair.
"Thank you, Red," Rosette murmured against his chest. Her voice trembled slightly. "Thank you for showing me how beautiful the world is."
Dranred smiled, his tone turning warm and earnest. "We're just getting started," he said, taking her hand and intertwining his fingers with hers. "There's still so much I want you to see—and to experience."
Rosette looked up at him, startled by the sudden contact.
"This is your treatment," Dranred said with a playful grin.
"My treatment?" she asked, confused. "But I'm not sick. If anyone needs treatment, it's you." Her eyes softened as she reached for his arm in its sling, touching it gently.
"As long as I have you, I'll be fine," he said reassuringly. "This injury is nothing." He tightened his hold on her hand, his gaze tender. "Listen—when I'm around, you're not allowed to cry, okay? Whenever you feel like crying, even if it's out of happiness, just hold my hand like this."
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I know I love seeing your many reactions," he added with a teasing smile, "but I'd rather see you smiling. You're even more beautiful when you're happy."
Rosette's heart fluttered wildly in her chest. Butterflies swirled in her stomach, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
"Don't make me fall in love with you even more, Mr. Ace," she whispered, resting her head against his chest.
Dranred chuckled softly, his voice low and sincere. "What can I do?" he said, brushing a hand through her hair. "I want you to be crazy in love with me—to think only of me, to look only at me. I want all of you. I want you to desire me the way I—"
He stopped mid-sentence when Rosette suddenly looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. For a few seconds, he couldn't speak. The world around them fell silent, and all he could do was stare into her face — the warmth of her gaze saying everything words could not.
"But… I already am."
Rosette's voice was soft but steady as she looked up at him. The sincerity in her eyes made Dranred freeze. His breath caught as he found himself staring into her face — so open, so unguarded.
"Do you have any idea what you just said?" he asked quietly, his voice low and uncertain.
"I do." Her lips curved into a teasing smile. "So, Mr. Ace… what are you going to do about it?"
Dranred blinked, caught between disbelief and amusement. Was she teasing him? Testing how far she could push him? Those eyes of hers — bright, daring, inviting — were driving him crazy.
"Warning," he murmured, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I'm about to—"
Before he could finish, Rosette rose on her toes and pressed her lips softly against his.
For a heartbeat, the world fell still. When she pulled away, her gaze lingered on his face, shy but unflinching. Then Dranred moved. His hand cupped her cheek as he leaned in, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. Rosette's eyes fluttered shut as his lips claimed hers, slow and tender at first — then warmer, deeper.
Her hand found his arm, clutching lightly at the sleeve near his sling as their lips met again. Around them, the wind stirred, scattering a flurry of pink petals. Cherry blossoms drifted through the air like snow, encircling them in a quiet storm of spring.
It was a kiss that spoke everything they hadn't dared to say — a promise beneath the falling petals.
After their moment in Ueno Park, the day unfolded like a dream.
Their next stop was Aqua Park Shinagawa, where Rosette's eyes lit up like a child's at every colorful tank and glowing tunnel of fish. It was her first time inside an aquarium, and her laughter echoed softly as dolphins leapt gracefully through the water during the show.
Dranred couldn't take his eyes off her. The way she smiled, the way she clapped with delight — it was infectious. Even with his arm in a sling, he felt lighter than he had in weeks.
Later that afternoon, they visited the Tokyo Tower, where the city stretched out beneath them in a glittering sea of lights. Rosette stood by the glass, gazing at the view in awe, while Dranred lingered a few steps behind her.
He slipped a hand into his jacket pocket and touched the small box hidden inside. Opening it quietly, he looked down at the simple silver ring resting in his palm.
He remembered the night before — how, after a few drinks with James, he'd wandered past a jewelry shop. The display of rings had caught his eye, and without meaning to, he'd thought of Rosette. Before he knew it, he was standing outside the store at dawn, waiting for it to open. And by morning, he had bought the ring — a small, shining token of everything he couldn't yet put into words.
"Red!" Rosette's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
He quickly closed the box and slipped it back into his pocket, forcing a small smile as he turned to face her.
"Are you okay?" she asked, stepping closer. Her eyes filled with worry. "Does your arm hurt? You look a little lost in thought."
"I'm fine," he said, shaking his head. "The injury's not serious. I just… have something on my mind."
Rosette tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Something on your mind? What is it?"
Dranred smiled faintly, his hand brushing the pocket where the ring lay hidden. "You'll find out soon enough," he said.
"It's not what—it's who," Dranred said, his gaze shifting toward her.
Rosette blinked in confusion, not catching his meaning right away. Her puzzled expression made him chuckle softly.
"It's fine," he said after a moment. "You don't have to worry about it. It's something I've already sorted out."
He reached up, brushing his fingers gently through her hair, and plucked something from it.
"You've been walking around with this stuck in your hair," he said, showing her the small cherry blossom petal resting between his fingers.
Rosette smiled and held out her hand, silently asking him to place it there. Dranred obliged, setting the delicate petal in her palm. She gazed down at it, running her thumb across its soft surface, a wistful look in her eyes.
She thought maybe the petal had stayed in her hair on purpose — a little keepsake from the beautiful day she'd shared with him.
"Are you trying to seduce me with that smile?" Dranred teased, leaning closer.
Startled, Rosette looked up — and found his face only inches away. Her breath caught. Their lips were so close they almost touched. Flustered, she quickly stepped back, her cheeks turning a deep shade of pink as memories of their earlier kiss flooded her mind.
Dranred grinned at her reaction.
"You know," he said gently, his tone softening, "I wouldn't kiss you without your permission."
He turned to look out the wide glass window of the Tokyo Tower's viewing deck, where the sky was beginning to blush with sunset. Rosette glanced up at him, her heart still racing, then looked back at the cherry blossom petal resting in her hand.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For showing me all this."
Dranred smiled, eyes glinting with warmth. "I told you," he said, "this is only the beginning. You'd better prepare yourself."
Rosette didn't reply. She simply looked at him — really looked — her lips curving into a small, contented smile.
They stood side by side as the sun dipped slowly beyond the horizon, painting the city in shades of gold and rose. The light reflected softly in their eyes as they looked at each other — no words needed, just the quiet certainty that whatever came next, they would face it together.
Fingers brushed, and their hands found each other once more. They stood there in silence, holding on — their connection strong, steady, and unspoken — as the last of the sunlight faded behind the Tokyo skyline.